Tag - english-language

 
 

ENGLISH LANGUAGE

When Fighters interpreter Shinju Sakuma set her mind on becoming a language liaison in sports, she picked a sport she enjoyed watching and an employer who thinks outside the box.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Feb 26, 2024
Rookie female interpreter provides voice for foreign baseball stars in Japan
Shinju Sakuma, who will graduate from Rikkyo University in Tokyo this spring, is believed to be the first female interpreter in NPB history.
The "wolf warrior" metaphor is used for Chinese diplomats who are known for aggressively making their country’s case on the world stage.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 16, 2024
Doves, pandas and dragons: Decoding the global political zoo
Animal metaphors help us reflect on the rich and varied landscape of foreign policy discourse.
A teacher gives an English lesson in the city of Saitama on July 12.
JAPAN
Jul 31, 2023
Japanese junior high kids average 12% in English oral test
More than 60% of the students evaluated could not answer a single speaking question correctly.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Nov 3, 2018
Testing times for students' English-language ability in Japan
The education ministry last year announced it would change the common testing system for universities, starting in 2020. A major change is expected to be made to the English-language component of the exam. Applicants will be asked to take English tests developed by commercial testing companies for the preliminary evaluation. The main reason for the change is that the ministry wants to emphasize interactive communication, specifically speaking and writing, in the evaluation of students’ English skills. The current English test concentrates on listening and reading.
JAPAN
Apr 2, 2018
Foreign Minister Taro Kono urges his newest diplomats to hone their English
Foreign Minister Taro Kono on Monday extended a warm welcome to the ministry's newest recruits, and asked the young diplomats to continue improving their English and other essential skills needed to connect Japan with the rest of the world.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 5, 2018
More Japanese head to Philippines to study English on a budget
Ahead of a change to university entrance exams that places more focus on speaking abilities, as well as the Tokyo 2020 Games, a growing number of Japanese are opting to travel to the Philippines to study English at a low cost.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Apr 10, 2017
Modify instruction to improve English skills
English-language teachers in Japan can learn from athletic coaches.
JAPAN
Apr 6, 2017
Japan's latest English-proficiency scores disappoint
Japanu2019s plan to improve English proficiency scores with mandatory classes flops as the latest round of testing shows that students are either regressing or making minor progress.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Mar 14, 2017
Time to treat English teachers as professionals
If Japan wants to recruit and retain top English-speaking talent to the front of the classroom, it needs to ensure non-Japanese teachers are treated fairly.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / FOREIGN AGENDA
Jul 6, 2016
Tokyo is squandering resources on its 2020 Olympic English drive
Misguided training program appears to be aimed at turning city workers into unlicensed tour guides.
COMMENTARY / Japan
May 20, 2014
Design tests to measure priority outcomes
The discovery of fraud in the adminstration of the high-stakes TOEFL and TOEIC tests is disturbing, but the larger issue — which has been given short shrift — is that these tests are designed to emphasize written English rather than spoken English.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / LEARNING CURVE
Apr 6, 2014
Read up on ways that can help us learn English
Public libraries are important community resources across Japan, but while English is taught from fifth grade, those hoping to find a ready stash of English-language reading material may be disappointed.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 8, 2013
Costly challenge of globalizing Japan's labor force
Japan is way behind in the race to foster professionals who can operate across national, cultural and linguistic barriers. Solutions are not cheap, but the cost of not doing anything is higher.
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 18, 2013
This glorious English language that is open to all
The multinational Man Booker shortlist shows "outsiders" are the new normal. It's time to celebrate the unruly English tongue.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 3, 2013
JET alumni advocates for Japan
Clifton Strickler never thought of coming to Japan until he met his boss at the University of Texas while engaged in an undergraduate work-study. His boss lived in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, teaching English with the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program.
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
May 5, 2013
Media weighs in on LDP's English education plan
The Liberal Democratic Party has a thing for archery. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's financial policies comprise "three arrows." The symbolism is based on the old Japanese saying, "Three arrows are harder to break." Since "Abenomics" has proven to be a PR success, at least with the electorate, he's using the same metaphor to push his education agenda, a "three-arrow" approach that 1) reclaims dominance in the areas of science and math, 2) emphasizes IT education and 3) improves English language skills.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Mar 11, 2013
Growing world-beating communication skills
Japanese business people's inability to compete on the world stage because of poor communication skills is spurring debate over how English is taught.

Longform

A statue of "Dragon Ball" character Goku stands outside the offices of Bandai Namco in Tokyo. The figure is now as recognizable as such characters as Mickey Mouse and Spider-Man.
Akira Toriyama's gift to the world